Solid lines in axial algebras of Jordan type \(\frac{1}{2}\) and Jordan algebras (Q7020424)

\textit{Axial algebras} are a class of nonassociative commutative algebras whose interest stems from their deep connection with finite simple groups -- most notably, the Griess algebra for the Monster sporadic group. An axial algebras \(A\) is generated by a set of primitive idempotents \(X\), the \textit{axes}, which satisfy a fusion law governing the structure of the eigenspaces under their adjoint action.This decomposition strongly resembles the Peirce decomposition of Jordan algebras. Indeed, the focus of this paper is on axial algebras whose fusion law coincides with that of Jordan algebras -- we refer to such algebras as being \textit{of Jordan type}.\N\N\textit{J. McInroy} and \textit{S. Shpectorov} [``Axial algebras of Jordan and Monster type'', Preprint, \url{arXiv:2209.08043}] conjectured that (connected primitive) axial algebras of Jordan type are either Jordan algebras or quotients of \textit{Matsuo algebras}. These Matsuo algebras arise from groups generated by a conjugacy class of involutions, where the product of any two such elements has order \(3\). While the conjecture has been established for axial algebras generated by \(2\) or \(3\) axes [\textit{I. Gorshkov} and \textit{A. Staroletov}, J. Algebra 563, 74--99 (2020; Zbl 1460.17004)], while the question is still open for \(4\) [\textit{T. De Medts} et al., Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 152, No. 2, 537--551 (2024; Zbl 1550.17004)].\N\NAA key tool in addressing this conjecture is the notion of \textit{solid lines}, introduced by \textit{I. Gorshkov} et al. [``Solid subalgebras in algebras of Jordan type half'', Preprint, \url{arXiv:2401.16218}]. Solid lines are subalgebras generated by \(2\) axes whose primitive idempotents are all axes in \(A\). In Jordan algebras, due to their Peirce decomposition, all \(2\)-generated subalgebras are solid lines, whereas Matsuo algebras exhibit a more nuanced structure, containing both solid and non-solid subalgebras.\N\NThis paper focuses on characterizing the conditions under which a \(2\)-generated subalgebra forms a solid line. The authors employ a novel approach, leveraging two small degree polynomials whose roots exhibit a subtle correspondence with the axes of \(\langle a,b \rangle\). When the subalgebra contains sufficiently many axes, all primitive idempotents necessarily coincide with axes, as these polynomials vanish identically.\N\NThe main results of the paper are the following. (In all the items, the characteristic is odd.)\N\begin{itemize}\N\item Given two axes \(a,b \in X\), if the (unique) Frobenius form of \(A\) on the pair \((a,b)\) is not \(1/4\) and \(\langle a,b \rangle\) is not 3-dimensional, then \(\langle a,b \rangle\) is solid.\N\item Given two axes \(a,b \in X\), if the associator map\N\[\ND_{a,b} :\; x \mapsto a(bx) - b(ax)\N\]\Nis a derivation of \(A\), then \(\langle a,b \rangle\) is solid.\N\item Unless the characteristic is \(3\), \(\langle a,b \rangle\) is solid for every pair of axes \(a,b \in X\) if, and only if, \(A\) is a Jordan algebra.\N\end{itemize}\N\NAn insightful consequence of these results is that the space of associator maps that are derivations provides a measure of how closely an algebra resembles a Jordan algebra. In contrast, subalgebras \(\langle a,b \rangle\) where the associator \(D_{a,b}\) fails to be a derivation correspond to groups generated by two involutions whose product has order \(3\), reinforcing a clear structural dichotomy between Jordan and Matsuo algebras.\N\NOverall, this paper advances the structural understanding of solid lines and its results provide valuable insight into McInroy and Shpectorov's conjecture.